Criss Angel vs. Movable Buffet
Thanks for the attention, Criss. It seems odd that I have landed at the center of a Criss Angel controversy. It obviously isn't my fame that is bringing my issue with Angel's erratic interview policy into the newspaper. That said, at this point why single out me? Has anyone had a kind word to say about "Believe"? I am not even the only one to use the "Showgirls" movie comparison. Today Doug Elfman of the Review-Journal trashes "Believe" and Times staff writer Reed Johnson opines in his review:
“If Criss Angel were blindfolded, straitjacketed, run over by a steamroller, locked in a steel box and dumped from a helicopter into the Pacific Ocean, he still might be easier to salvage from disaster than 'Criss Angel: Believe,' the gloomy, gothic muddle of a show that officially lurched into being on Halloween night like some patched-together Frankenstein's monster.”
Yet, we await to see if "Believe" can survive the more serious problem of the bad word of taxi drivers and other regular locals who have been exposed to the dullest show Cirque has ever produced in Vegas.
Criss Angel's BELIEVE show is a cheap low-class version of Cirque which results to who he is. He should spend more time focusing on his stage presence than being in the media.
Holly run from Vegas quick before you end up with an STD too.
Posted by: Run Holly Run | November 03, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Criss Angel acts like a child without a brain. He just embarrasses all those amongst the Vegas strip that do carry real talent and drive. The only talent and drive Criss Angel exhibits is one which he uses the media as his canvas. I doubt playing with the media is going to help ticket sales of 10 plus years
Posted by: MaryJane | November 03, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Richard, it would be okay with me if you went for a whole week without mentioning Criss Angel. A whole month would be even more wonderful. Ah heck, what about one full year?
Posted by: Slothrop | November 03, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Don't sweat it, Richard. Actually, by Criss Angel lashing out at you (and Doug Elfman too) that's like a compliment to journalistic integrity and impeccable professionalism. If Criss Angel lays into you because you reported fairly, that's on him. Not on you.
And you have to admit it's typical Criss Angel stuff too. He yells and screams and goes into a tantrum and does that posturing thing to get in the news, but it's all smoke and mirrors to cover up for the lack of talent and stage presence he has.
What gets me is first it's audience members stepping forth and criticizing this show during the "soft openings." Now, because of opening night and the "flaccid premiere," reporters have come out with honest opinions to basically mirror what audiences have been saying. So, now we're just into the "crappy show that audiences are forced to endure" phase, to be followed ultimately by "hard closing" or "bombed, torpedoed, strafed and capsized." Not sure if I got those technical names right.
And everybody is listening to comments. And the comments are unanimous that this is a horrible show. With a star who has set the standards to a new low for talent on the Las Vegas Strip.
No. Wait. All except Cirque du Soleil. They're quiet about it. Complete silence. Same with Luxor and MGM Productions. They just let Criss Angel rant and rave and get mad at everybody who don't like his show.
I get the impression they are all wringing their hands, looking around nervously and cannot figure out what to do with this dilemma they got themselves into. And the only alternative is before their eyes, but they are hesitant to do it. Close the show and take the loss. But instead, they let it go on and torture new audiences that will attend.
UnbeLIEvable.
Send this guy packing, Cirque du Soleil, MGM and Luxor. Do the right thing. Quit torturing audiences. It does no good to tarnish your image just for this odd ball.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | November 03, 2008 at 03:33 PM
I think someone should buy Criss Angel a boxed DVD set of "Six Feet Under." That's where this show is going.
Posted by: yen woo ping | November 03, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I was trying to stay away from the show, as I don't have to go to shows for work anymore, but now I am really intrigued. These reviews are even worse than Cher's (and her show made my top-10 worst shows I have seen in 13 years in Vegas). Believe sound so bad that I must see it -- or maybe not. Perhaps I should wait a while. After all, good things happened to Le Reve and Zumanity after they tweaked things a few times.
Interesting that Richard is now the new target of the magician's wrath. Looks like he's taking a break from directing his anger at Norm Clarke. And I agree with you, Richard -- bad word-of-mouth is not easily fixed.
Posted by: Judy Jenner | November 03, 2008 at 04:23 PM
You asked why you're being singled out, Richard? Honestly maybe since you've asked I'll try to help! Lol. I think at first some of the critics were just haphazardly slinging mud at the 'Believe' show during the first couple of weeks. A couple of weeks later they realized the show goes deeper than what meets the eye, and the creators of 'Believe' were to be respected. Now reviews are in depth, the critics are thinking, using more creativity. There are intriguing concepts being discussed.
Yes, the show goes into dark places, scary places. It's making people think. Your writing is a bit at the mudslinging stage imo, and not as respectful of artistic expression. Also, you slammed the Premiere guestlist. No worries, this can be rectified in time if you want.
Colin on the other hand.....er, I won't go there, lol!
Posted by: Lou | November 03, 2008 at 11:40 PM
It seems to me that without Criss Angel, there would be nothing for the Vegas entertainment industry to write about. What else is going on in Vegas? Lance Burton? Wasn't there some club owned by Nick Lachey or something? Is that still open?
Criss Angel is to Vegas entertainment reporting what Paris Hilton is to the E! network. You guys should put aside a little from every paycheck to buy tickets to the show to ensure it stays open and you guys have something to write about. Without Angel, Vegas is done. Even Lindsey Lohan, Kevin Federline, and Paris Hitlon don't go to Vegas anymore, and they have nowhere else to go.
Other than that, I like Slothrop's advice. The Movable Buffet seems more like the Angel Buffet for the last few months.
Posted by: Big Karl | November 04, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Cirque du Soleil big wig in a conference: "What? There aren't enough third year art students and Loyals out there to fill the audience for this show? Hmmm.... I don't understand audiences these days at all. Can't educate them. What in the world would possess people to want to come Las Vegas to be entertained? THEY'LL WATCH WHAT WE WANT THEM TO WATCH, BY GOD! Okay. I'll calm down. What? Ticket sales are slumping? And word of mouth is killing our star headliner? Okay. Let's fall back on Plan B. Get ahold of Bobo the card dealing baboon to fill in. Get rid of what's-his-name.... That should work for a little while. Til we figure something else out.... Are Siegfried and Roy's tigers available? Maybe we can teach them how to dance with the rabbits and clowns......"
All the billboards and advertisements don't amount to a hill of beans. You got people who saw this stupid show, related it to others. And some of those others are cab drivers, desk clerks, maids, maintenance men, clerks and other blue collar related jobs that are filled along the Las Vegas Strip. And these people listen to it and relate it to tourists who ask them. The word is out about this dumb show and it's odd ball headliner who clearly exhibits zero talent. Avoid. Stay away.
In a different note.... It was pointed out that Holly Madison has this incredible black and blue bruise circling around her throat. It is clearly visible in all recent pictures of her. And it wasn't there before she came to Las Vegas. What is this Criss Angel mad man doing?!!?!!?
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | November 04, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Criss Angel's BELIEVE show is mindblowing and has the creative juices to carry out all others amongst the strip. All the Vegas press are tearing him apart because they don't like him. That's 90% of the problem right there. I will go to the show several times over to support this hard earned talent.
Posted by: A Faithful Loyal | November 04, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Ha! I won't say I told you so....but I guess I just did. :)
Posted by: Debbie | November 04, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I saw the show. I imagine he hates me for giggling at him while he was singing "Mindfreak." It was lypsching and then the movie screen that comes down with excerpts of Midfreak and why of Larry King? Because he went on there to make himself right for abandoning his wife, committing adultery and then reducing her to 5% of his life?
When we were leaving the show, we called a cab. The driver was very friendly. He asked what show we saw and we told him "Believe with Criss Angel." He asked us if it had improved any because he heard it was awful. Even the Las Vegas Cabbies know about it. Embarrassing.
Posted by: Achilles | November 04, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Some people are implying that Criss Angel is simply using Playboy Playmate Holly Madison as a way to gain global attention (PR) which will shift the focus away from all the numerous negative reviews the BELIEVE show has and continues to receive by guests.
I do not believe this to be the case. Criss Angel was well known for casually dating Holly a couple months prior to the September 26 preview performance.
Some people are implying that both Criss Angel and Playboy Playmate Holly Madison deliberately reenacted a stunt (Public Display Affection) at a local Vegas nightclub last week to replica what the media suggested her did back in July at LAX with famous actress Pamela Anderson simply to mock the media's stupidity and use it to gain immediate global attention.
I do not believe this to be the case as well. Again, those two have been affection for several months.
Why do so many automatically assume when two well-known high profiled individuals are spotted together it is automatically "PR". It is clearly obvious Mr. Angel and Ms. Madison are deeply attracted to each other and are now the Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson of Vegas.
Posted by: L. Caravello | November 05, 2008 at 11:56 AM
This show is so awful and sucked a big one, would it be safe to presume CA and CDS 69'd?
ROTFLMAO
Posted by: AMUSED beyond WORDS | November 05, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Some people are implying that Criss Angel is simply using Playboy Playmate Holly Madison as a way to gain global attention (PR) which will shift the focus away from all the numerous negative reviews the BELIEVE show has and continues to receive by guests.
I do not believe this to be the case. Criss Angel was well known for casually dating Holly a couple months prior to the September 26 preview performance.
Some people are implying that both Criss Angel and Playboy Playmate Holly Madison deliberately reenacted a stunt (Public Display Affection) at a local Vegas nightclub last week to replica what the media suggested her did back in July at LAX with famous actress Pamela Anderson simply to mock the media's stupidity and use it to gain immediate global attention.
I do not believe this to be the case as well. Again, those two have been affection for several months.
Why do so many automatically assume when two well-known high profiled individuals are spotted together it is automatically "PR". It is clearly obvious Mr. Angel and Ms. Madison are deeply attracted to each other and are now the Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson of Vegas.
English do you speak it?
Posted by: Frank | November 07, 2008 at 04:07 PM
The eyes are the window to the soul. I wish Criss and Holly the absolute best!!!
Posted by: Debbie | November 07, 2008 at 07:48 PM
What the is Criss Angel doing these days? His BELIEVE show is about to hit the skids and he's acting like a school kid in love. Great if he's found love while all this disaster is in the now but he needs to strengthen his show first and worry about thinking with his other head later.
Confused? I thought Criss wanted his show to be a success. Does he no longer care?
Posted by: Confused | November 07, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Perhaps Criss should focus less on his PDA with Holly and spend more time strengthening the show because it sucks. All the love in the world between new lovers isn't going to fix it.
Posted by: WTF | November 07, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Okay, I like dark things, got a problem with it? If you don't like the show why did you go and see it? Stop whining like little children and be a little more mature.... you know you have an issue when a 14 year old has to say that to you... and, yes, I do enjoy Criss Angel's illousions... I just didn't get to see the show... wanted to, but couldn't... (let's see how much hate mail this comment brings me)
Posted by: Kaitlyn | November 08, 2008 at 08:41 PM
I wish I could go through my life never seeing or hearing Criss Angels name or image again. BLECH. To Kaitlyn... How do you know if you don't like the show before you go see it?
Posted by: Casey | November 30, 2008 at 06:23 PM